By Donna Sachet–
When this forcibly idled drag queen finds herself on the job three times in one week, we can assure you that the long-awaited end of this interminable pandemic is closer than ever!
On June 1, we joined Gary Virginia at the invitation of Patrick Carney to participate in the lighting ceremony for the Pink Triangle atop Twin Peaks, which this year, in collaboration with Illuminate, will be lit at night with pink LED lights throughout the month of June. As we neared the location for the lighting ceremony, the fog grew thicker and the temperature continued to drop. Park Rangers and SF Police directed us up the final winding path, joining a small group on foot. Fluttering pink flags and the jubilant sounds of the Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band and songstress Leanne Borghesi met us at a clearing marked off with pink fabric, a smattering of folding chairs, and a podium. The small group slowly grew, huddled in the wet cold, clad in Pink Triangle logo t-shirts (generously provided by the Bob Ross Foundation and Tom Horn), and anxiously waited for the final players to arrive. Suddenly a fleet of cars emerged from the fog and out appeared Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Mayor London Breed, quickly joined by State Senator Scott Wiener, City Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, City Treasurer Jose Cisneros, BART Board member Bevan Dufty, and SF Community College Board Vice- President Tom Temprano.
The program began with personal remarks from Patrick Carney, the creator of this amazing project, joined by his husband Hossein. With Gary we related the historical significance of the Pink Triangle and how it has been reclaimed as an emblem of unity, perseverance, and hope for the LGBTQ+ Community. All the elected officials spoke, some with humor and all with gravity, as well as Ben Davis of Illuminate. And at just the right moment, members of the Dykes on Bikes came roaring up the hill with the Olympic-style torches that were created last year and carried from Oakland across the Bay, down Market Street, and up to the Pink Triangle. Finally, after a short countdown, Mayor Breed and Speaker Pelosi pushed the button and the huge Pink Triangle, now in its 26th year and outlined in fabric, sparkled with light, blazing down to the City and some say up to the universe. What an amazing way to kick off SF Pride month!
Friday saw us in the Castro at the GLBT History Museum on 18th Street at the invitation of Terry Beswick, Executive Director of the GLBT Historical Society, for a very private unveiling of the original rainbow flag that flew above Civic Center in 1978. After much research, this historic creation of Gilbert Baker was relocated and returned to San Francisco, thanks to Charlie Bean and the Gilbert Baker Foundation. Many of the same elected officials were present and offered speeches on the sidewalk in significantly warmer weather. Organizer David Perry then ushered everyone inside the museum to see the flag draped inside a glass case, where photo flashes raged. Another piece of our vital history is safe and sound and in its rightful place.
And on Saturday, we joined a long list of volunteers at the invitation of Joanie Juster in the AIDS Memorial Grove of Golden Gate Park to read names from the AIDS Project Memorial Quilt. Sparkling sunshine and a display of quilts filled the Grove for this moving and meaningful ceremony from midday until early evening. It is hard to describe the mix of emotions everywhere in sight, but there were many hugs, some tears, and some laughter. As you may know, the AIDS Memorial Quilt has a long history and most historically was displayed on the Mall in Washington, D.C., eventually finding a temporary home in Atlanta. A group of determined people, including Cleve Jones and Mike Smith, worked tirelessly to bring it home to San Francisco, where it now resides in partnership with the AIDS Memorial Grove. Some 4000 names were read as they had been memorialized on quilts, some famous, some unknown, but all remembered again on that day.
We ended our day at the beautiful Artists’ Portal, part of the Grove created by the SF Gay Men’s Chorus a few years ago. We love the story of its evolution. The leadership of the chorus was determined to have such a place where the many members of the chorus lost to AIDS could be remembered, as well as others in the performing arts world, but it made sense to introduce an auditory element. Within the Grove, sound had always been limited to special occasions in an attempt to preserve the quiet reflective nature of a memorial grove. Remarkably, a solution was found and today one can sit on a bench in this sunshine dappled corner of the grove and strike a long bell with a hammer, evoking a haunting, lingering gong in memory of a loved one. We did so.
As Pride month rushes upon us, take time to organize your schedule! Plan for those events you always enjoy, support the causes you believe in, and try something new for a change. This may not yet be the Pride Celebration San Francisco is known for, but the resilience of our LGBTQ+ Community guarantees that you will find plenty to see, do, and love. Happy Pride!
Donna Sachet is a celebrated performer, fundraiser, activist and philanthropist who has dedicated over two decades to the LGBTQ Community in San Francisco. Contact her at empsachet@gmail.com
Friday–Saturday, June 11–12
Pride Movie Nights at Oracle Park
In the Heights (June 11) and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (June 12). Watch a film on the giant scoreboard at the ballpark with friends. 6:30 pm
$19 & up
www.sfpride.org
Saturday, June 12
Golden Hour: Sunset Drag Show
Baker Beach @ Lobos Creek 6:30 pm
Free!
www.juanitamore.com
Sunday, June 13
Nob Hill’s Queens on Top
Drag brunch hosted by Sister Roma
Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason Street
Noon
$95
www.sfpride.org
Tuesday, June 22
Williams Sonoma 4th Annual Drag Queen Cook-Off
Juanita MORE!, Sister Roma, Brita Filter, Shuga Cain
Online benefiting the Trevor Project
5–6 pm
Free!
www.juanitamore.com
Thursday, June 24
Divas & Drinks at the Academy
With Donna Sachet, DJ Rockaway, Heather Freyer of Bacardi, Anna Chase of Olivia & Kelly Gilliam of Mecca 2.0
The Academy, 2166 Market Street
6–10 pm
$20
www.theacademy-sf.com
Friday, June 25
An Evening with Donna Sachet
Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music, blackjack
The Academy, 2166 Market Street
$65
www.theacademy-sf.com
Saturday, June 26
Gary Virginia & Donna Sachet’s 23rd annual Pride Brunch
Online event featuring A Taste of San Francisco Pride with Grand Marshals of SF Pride & others
Silent auction, delivered brunch & gift bags
Benefits PRC
Noon–1:30 pm
$50 & up
www.prcsf.org
Sunday, June 27
Juanita MORE!’s Pride Party
Benefits SF Bay Area Queer Nightlife Fund & Imperial Council of SF
620 Jones
Noon–10:30 pm
$85 & up
www.juanitamore.com
Published on June 10, 2021
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